Combined advertising and entertainment system network

ABSTRACT

A wireless remote unit is operable to demodulate signals received over a plurality of different bands, such as the FM broadcast band, and one or more higher frequency bands. The various bands have different channels and the selection of the band and the channel is accomplished by control signals received by the receiver. The control signal can carry menu information in one direction to the user and can carry user data, including the identity of the user, in the other direction. There can be multiple transmitters, wherein each transmitter sends information on a different channel within a band, and tunes remote units to a particular transmitter based upon proximity to that transmitter. The transmitter is capable of displaying visual data. The visual data includes a predetermined number of advertisements to be displayed during a user session, prompted either by a user logging onto the system, or by the system&#39;s detection of a user&#39;s presence.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly assignedand co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 08/769,774, entitled MULTI-MODEENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM USING WIRELESS Headsets, filed Dec. 18, 1996, whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a system and a method for advertisingand other content on an entertainment unit, and more particularly tosuch systems where data transmission is to a receiver which can receivethe data on a selected one of a plurality of frequencies or channels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The use of headsets or headphones to listen to prerecorded audioprograms has become commonplace. Sometimes this use is because thelistener is mobile and listening to a tape or CD, usually walking orrunning, and there is no fixed radio receiver available. Sometimes theuser is at a sports event, such as a football or baseball game and usesthe headset to listen to an AM or FM broadcast of the game. In someinstances, the listener is within a gym or other building where eitherthe traditional broadcast bands are blocked or distorted or where thereare other available bands, such as a higher frequency carrier (forexample the 900 MHZ band) which is carrying programs or otherinformation unique to the local facility. This “other” information canbe music channels, instructions for the use of certain equipment,directions for following a detour, audio component of an advertisement,or a walking tour of an art exhibit, etc.

[0004] Often, in such environments, it is necessary to change from onechannel to another (or one band to another) once, twice, or severaltimes, perhaps depending upon what material content the user desires tolisten to, or watch.

[0005] A major problem in gyms, stock brokerage houses, factories, andother places where many people gather is to allow each individual personto listen to or view, a unique audio or video program withoutinterference with other people in close proximity. Furthermore,advertisers are often unable to get an attentive audience, especially ifthe product or service does not appeal to the particular individual.Therefore, in such facilities, there is a need to provide entertainmenton an individual basis to the users and also to provide advertisers witha captive audience.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,735, issued on Apr. 25, 1995 to Robert L.Borchardt, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, is oneexample of a portable headset designed to receive a 900 MHZ signal forthe purpose of allowing the user to listen to programs at a distanceremote from a local transmitter.

[0007] The problem discussed above exists in applications other thantraditional radio. For example, many portable processors storeinformation in a memory and need to communicate that information to afixed unit, or to a plurality of fixed units, each possibly operating ondifferent bands, or on different channels, within the same band.

[0008] One specific example of such a problem is a gym environment wherethere are multiple work stations and many users. Presently, it is commonpractice to place a video display, such as a television, in a locationhaving common visibility from a number of stations. This situation doesnot allow a user to have individual data, such as video or audio,communicated only to that user. Consequently, advertisers are unable totarget their audience based on the needs of the particular individual.This results in users either changing the channels or switching off thedevice. Therefore, a seller is unable to get a captive audience for hisproducts.

[0009] Assuming that a plurality of data transmission devices were to bemade available to a like number of work stations, then a user at such awork station could view, or listen to, data of that user's choice. Insuch a situation, data (e.g. sound and pictures) from one transmissiondevice would interfere with data from other devices. The solution tothis problem is the use of headsets, preferably wireless headsets. Asystem is required that can differentiate one user from the next, sothat each user would see and hear program materials unique to that user.

[0010] Further, since some of the information that a user desires isunique to that user, a system is required to identify that particularuser.

[0011] Thus, a need exists in the art for a data receiving device, thatis multi-modal in that it can be used to receive data on severaldifferent channels, with the user being able to control the selection ofat least one of the currently operating channels.

[0012] A further need exists in the art for such a system in which theinformation content that the user desires to hear or see serves toselect the band, or the channel within a band, that is operable at aparticular point in time.

[0013] A still further need exists in the art for such a system in whichthe physical position of the user serves to select the band, or thechannel within a band, that is operable at a particular point in time.

[0014] A still further need exists in the art for advertisers to be ableto target their audiences based on the particular needs of theindividual user.

[0015] A still further need exists in the art for advertisers to have acaptive audience in order to effectively convey their message.

[0016] A still further need exists in the art for a system which detectsthe presence of a user without a headset in proximity to a transmitterso that the user can be targeted with a different type of advertising.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] These and other problems have been solved by having amulti-channel data receiver device within, for example, a headset or avideo display, allowing the channel to be selected by a signal receivedby the headset or the display. In one embodiment, this signal is anout-of-band infrared (IR) signal. Contained within the IR transmissionis data pertaining to the band and/or the desired channel within thatband. In an alternative embodiment, the control signal could be receivedon a fixed tuned channel within a certain band, or within each of theavailable bands, or in response to a temporary coupling between thetransmitter and the receiver, during which time data is exchangedbetween the two devices.

[0018] As an example, assume a person using one of many treadmills (orother exercise equipment) in a gym or club environment is also using aheadset. The person would step onto the treadmill (or otherwise comewithin proximity to the treadmill) and, in one preferred embodiment, anIR signal from a sender unit mounted on the treadmill would be receivedby the headsets of the user. In an alternative preferred embodiment, theheadsets would be brought into physical contact (or near physicalcontact) with the treadmill mounted unit (transmitter) and dataexchanged between the treadmill unit and the headsets. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the person would step onto the treadmill (or otherexercise equipment) and push a button on the treadmill to initiate datatransfer between the headset and the treadmill. A touch sensitive screencould be used in place of the button.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, when a person without a headset stepson the treadmill, an ultrasound, or other user presence detectioninterface would detect the presence of the user in proximity to thetreadmill and trigger the display to light up.

[0020] In the following, Full Effect advertising refers to advertisingcontaining full motion video with stereo sound included. Video Effectadvertising refers to advertising containing full motion video or“billboards” without sound. The term “billboard” in this context refersto a fixed video image, in contrast to video which incorporates motion.

[0021] For those users with headsets, the received IR signal (or thephysically coupled data transfer) would tune the headset to the channel,within the audio signal band, that is unique to that particulartreadmill, and, in the other direction, identify the user to the unitassociated with the treadmill. During this time the entertainment uniton the treadmill will synchronize with an advertising server. Thisadvertising server would feed advertisements to the entertainment unit,based upon the user's demographics. The advertisements would comprisefull motion video or billboards, with or without sound. Thesynchronization step is required to ensure that advertisements arealways viewed from beginning to end, or chronologically. To mask thedelay of synchronization, a “welcome” screen will be presented to theuser which will display, among other things, information unique to theparticular user and/or the particular piece of equipment. This screenwould also allow the user time to put on and adjust the headsets, adjustclothing, and perform other similar personal adjustments, beforestarting the exercise routine.

[0022] In the most flexible embodiment, each system or workstation wouldhave a dedicated channel to allow advertising to be targeted directly toa particular individual. In a less flexible embodiment, fewer channelsare shared between multiple systems. The synchronization step would theninclude time division multiplexing of the advertisements between thedifferent users, to provide individually targeted advertisements. Ineither case, the system can record exactly which advertisements havebeen displayed to which user. Also, the entertainment system willdisable other functionality so that the user cannot switch channels oradjust the audio signal while the advertisements are playing. Thisprovides the advertisers with a captive audience. Of course, in case ofan emergency, the advertisements could be interrupted to displayemergency messages. The entertainment system is switched to the fulleffect advertising channel until a predetermined number ofadvertisements have played, or a predetermined amount of time haselapsed. A full effect advertisement includes full motion video orbillboards with stereo sound.

[0023] Once the predetermined advertisements have played, informationunique to that transmitter (e.g. workstation or treadmill) would bereceived by the user. This then would allow the user to select from amenu of programs displayed at that treadmill. One such program could beoperating instructions for that machine. Other programs could includebroadcast or cable television programs, and/or selections from a libraryof pre-recorded programs maintained at the gym or server location.Further programs could include the user's personal CDs, VCR tapes,cassette tapes or DVDs, or video on demand which would be available froman entertainment unit mounted on or near the treadmill. Audio from thesender unit would then be sent over the selected frequency to only thatparticular user. In this manner, the headsets are tuned to the precisetransmitter, i.e., the treadmill sending unit, and would not receivetransmissions from adjacent units.

[0024] In another embodiment, the system could be designed so that thecontrol signal sending unit also could be a transceiver so as to receiveinformation sent from the user. Such information could be programpreferences of that user or could be the unique identity of that user.Based upon the received information, the system could reference adatabase and provide to the user information unique to that particularuser, for example, a specific exercise routine or specially targetedadvertisements. In addition, the unique information could be audio orvideo from a personal trainer at a remote location or advertisementsfrom an advertising server, employing a cable or satellite source, anddirected by the identity of the user.

[0025] In situations where a database has identified a user, either byIR transmission, or by a direct (or physical touching) contact, or via asensor, the database can keep track of the user's performance fromsession to session. This would allow the database to provide visualand/or audio information to the user and if desired, a writtenconfirmation to a third party, such as a doctor, trainer, or insurancecompany. The database could also keep track of the number of times aparticular user has watched a particular advertisement. Such a databasewould also permit the tracking of which advertisements a user haswatched, thus allowing multipart or serial advertisements to be playedin sequential order. The database would also be able to provideinformation to a third party, such as a server administrator or anadvertiser, regarding user profiles and also regarding updating/changingparticular advertisements. Also, if the server contains user bankinginformation, the system could be used to enable direct sales of productsor services. In this case, a personalized PIN (Personal IdentificationNumber) would verify the identity of the user. The data exchange betweenthe database and the third party could be by e-mail or other electronictransfer or could be by a printed report.

[0026] For systems where the database learns the identity of the user,messages can be passed, again visually or audibly, to the user over theunique channel. If a microphone were to be incorporated in the baseunit, a telephone patch could occur via a switched circuit controlled bythe database which would identify the channel to which the user'sheadsets are currently tuned.

[0027] The system could be designed so that the transmitter could onlyturn on or wake up, when a properly identified receiver is in itspresence and, if desired, would turn off or enter a sleep mode, when aheadset is no longer present. The system could also be designed so thatthe transmitter or entertainment unit would turn on when it senses thepresence of a user in close proximity and turn off when no person is inclose proximity.

[0028] In situations where the headset is used in a more mobileenvironment, for example when moving through an art gallery or the like,each exhibit (or group of exhibits) could transmit a control signalchanging the frequency of the headsets adjacent to that exhibit. Theuser would simply move around the gallery at his or her leisure andreceive information available as desired. The user could requestadditional information as desired by sending signals over theout-of-band signaling device.

[0029] This same headset device could be used to receive data over theFM or AM bands at times when the “special” bands are not available orwhen the user did not desire to use the special bands. For example, at aball game, the listener might prefer listening to the conventional overthe air broadcast on a commercial station or might, instead, desire touse an in-the-ballpark band for receipt of special information. Toswitch to the special band, the user need not know what channel orchannels are available since the in-park system is constantlytransmitting information and the user simply needs to tell his/her ownheadset, perhaps by operating a switch, to switch to the in-park system.The headset then decodes the data coming from the ballpark system on aknown channel, or on a known out-of-band channel, and changes the user'sheadset to the proper special channel.

[0030] When the user is listening to the regular broadcast band and hasthe unit's transfer switch set, the unit will automatically transfer toa band (or channel) selected by a signal received external from thetransmission. Thus, upon entering a gym and having the transfer switchset, the headset will automatically switch to the in-gym band, and to aspecific channel within that band, giving the user directions,instructions, or simply additional programming choices.

[0031] However, there are other situations where people do not havetheir headsets with them when they are exercising. Moreover, sometimesthe user is a first time user that does not possess a headset. Thepresent invention accommodates these situations as well. In situationswhere a user approaches the entertainment system without a headset, thesystem senses that someone is nearby via use of an ultrasound or otheruser presence detection interface. Upon recognizing a user without aheadset, the video display will light up. When the entertainment unit issynchronizing with the advertising server, the entertainment unit willdisplay a purchase screen that encourages the user to purchase aheadset. The entertainment system will then switch to the video effectadvertising channel. The video effect advertising channel transmits fullmotion video or billboards with no sound. The user cannot shut off theadvertisements until a predetermined number of advertisements haveplayed or a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. After that, theuser will be able to shut off the advertisements. If the user does notswitch off the system, it will continue to show advertisements until theultrasound or other user presence detection interface senses that thereis no user in the vicinity of the entertainment system. The system thenreturns to an initial state, ready for the next user.

[0032] There is also potential for “further information” advertisements.In the most flexible case, the user could opt for a further informationadvertisement. In that case, the system could run more detailedadvertisements, initiate a mail-out, or even allow purchases to be made.In the less flexible case, where users do not have dedicated channels, afurther advertising channel could be added to the system which would betime division multiplexed between systems.

[0033] It is one technical advantage of the system that the visualdisplay of the entertainment unit cannot be switched off and the usercannot switch stations until a predetermined number of advertisementshave been played or a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

[0034] It is another technical advantage of the system that the headsetcannot be switched to other bands until a predetermined number ofadvertisements have been played or a predetermined amount of time haselapsed. Thus, it is one feature of the invention that the headsets inthis system are capable of receiving multiple channels within multiplebands, where one or more bands' need not be a commercial band.

[0035] It is another feature of the invention that the advertisingserver can transmit both full effect advertising and video effectadvertising.

[0036] It is still another feature of the invention that the advertisingsystem can be used both with and without headsets.

[0037] It is a further feature of the invention that the server can keepa record of which advertisements have been displayed to which user.

[0038] It is a still further feature of the invention that theadvertising system can be activated by control signals, physicalcontact, or by sensors detecting the presence of users.

[0039] It is a still further feature of the invention that theadvertising system provides captive viewers to the advertisers, whocannot switch channels during the display of the advertisements.

[0040] It is a still further feature of the invention that the system iseasy to use and does not require system operators to load newadvertisements or check the status of old advertisements.

[0041] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features andtechnical advantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basisfor modifying the disclosed structures or designing other structures forcarrying out the same purposes as the present invention. It should alsobe realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, andthe advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

[0043]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a transmitter for use with theinventive system;

[0044]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a receiver for use with theinventive system;

[0045]FIG. 3 shows a typical headset for use with the invention;

[0046]FIG. 4 shows one typical use of the inventive system;

[0047]FIG. 5 shows a block diagram for downloading and uploadinginformation between a video facility and an advertising server; and

[0048]FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an advertising server connected toa series of entertainment units.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] The operation of a system for decoding from one fixed channel ofthe 900 MHZ band down to an FM intermediate band in the 88-108 MHZ rangefor subsequent demodulation by a conventional receiver is taught in theabove-referenced Borchardt patent and will not be again repeated herein.Use of the FM band outside the commercial (88-108 MHZ) range iscontemplated herein so as to avoid the possibility of commercial FMradio band interference. However, it should be pointed out that thesystem could be designed so that each band demodulates down to anintermediate band other than the FM band, or that the carrier of IFfrequencies can be different.

[0050]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the electronics within transmitter10. Transmitter 10 consists of two major sections; the RF transmissionblock between input 101 and output 102, and the control and enable blockbetween input 103 and output 104. Transmitter 10 can be on each unit 41or could be in a central location or both.

[0051] The RF transmitter block transmits an RF modulated audio signalthrough antenna 17 after relevant amplification and filtering in box 11.The relatively high frequency in the 900 MHZ band is generated bysynthesizer 15 with voltage controlled oscillator 14 tuning to one of upto 130 different channel frequencies, each spaced 200 KHz apart withinthe 902-928 MHZ band. The input audio, via input 101, which can be localprograms, TV programs, satellite, CD, VCR, DVD, advertisements, or anyother type of input is frequency modulated in box 13 before being addedto the carrier frequency by mixer 12. The actual circuitry for theseboxes is well known in the art.

[0052] The control block accepts formatted data via input 103 andprovides it through control circuitry 16 to the IR transmitter LED 18via output 104 and/or to physical contact 110. In the preferredembodiment, the other data includes a channel number (0 through 129) aswell as volume information. As will be discussed, whenever receiver 20(FIG. 2) sees control data representing a channel, it switches into RFmode using the given channel number. If there is no channel data,receiver 20 switches to a preset channel. Based upon a return of data,or identity, from a particular receiver, via diode 19 or via contact110, input/wakeup control 107 can send a signal so that transmitter 10can be set to not provide any control information over output 18, orsimply to turn off. In addition, if desired, the system can be set tonot provide control information over diode 18 (or contact 110) unless avalid wakeup signal is provided on diode 19 (or contact 110).Furthermore, the system can be set to lock out the user so that the usercan no longer change the channels or switch off the power on thetransmitter for a predetermined amount of time or until a certain numberof advertisements have played. Alternatively, if the user switches offthe power, the advertisement would be replayed from the beginning onceit is switched back on. This lock out system can be set upon receiving asignal over diode 19 or contact 110 or a sensor 50.

[0053] Auxiliary control 116 can be used to turn on other functions,such as a TV, a graphics display, or selection menus and could be gearedto the user's ID.

[0054]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the electronics within receiver20. Receiver 20 can, in one embodiment, operate in two modes: FM modeand RF mode.

[0055] In FM mode, FM antenna 202 picks up commercial band FM broadcastswhich are then transferred through audio multiplexer 22 to FM stereodecoder 23 which serves to demodulate the signal and “tune” the bandbetween 88-108 MHZ, to arrive at the desired station or channel. Oncethe desired channel has been decoded, it is scaled and amplified in box26 before being sent to speakers 31, 32 (FIG. 3). Note that the systemcan have multiple band operation or single band operation.

[0056] The RF mode here differs from the FM mode in more than justcarrier frequency. The RF mode involves the use of a local transmitter,located within the gym (or other facility), broadcasting specificallyfor the audience of users contained within the facility. In RF mode, RFantenna 201, which may or may not be the same as FM antenna 202, passesthe higher frequency signal through voltage controlled oscillator andvariable frequency down converter 21 and thereafter through audiomultiplexer 22 and FM stereo decoder 23 to speakers 31, 32. While notshown, in this mode FM antenna 202 is isolated from the circuit by aswitch or by mux 22 input. As will be seen, the exact decoding frequencyin VCO 21 is set depending upon the frequency (or channel) of thetransmitting device, by a signal received external to receiver 10 andserves to extract from the RF input a specific intermediate frequencywithin (or adjacent to) the FM band. To protect against commercial bandFM interference, the intermediate frequency, preferably, would be below88 MHZ or above 108 MHZ. This would be a fixed, non-tuneable frequencyto be converted by the FM decoder 23, for use by speakers 31, 32.

[0057] In either mode, audio from audio mini jack 204 can be selectedthrough audio multiplexer 26.

[0058] Control unit 34 (shown also in FIG. 3) controls the state ofaudio multiplexers 22 and 26, the frequency of down converter 21, andsenses if audio mini jack 204 is in use.

[0059] In one embodiment, IR photo detector 203 (or contact 209 inconjunction with physical contact line 38) senses IR control signals andpasses them through IR decoder link 25 and/or link 38 to control unit34. Control unit 34 decodes the control data, and processes the data ifit is in the proper format. The control data controls down converter 21and, if desired, the volume. There would typically be five manualcontrol switches located on the headset. These are: Volume Up switch 35,Volume Down switch 36, Seek Frequency Up switch 37, Seek Frequency Downswitch 39, and Power switch 53.

[0060] As discussed above, the control signals from transmitter 10 maynot be sent until a wakeup signal exchange occurs. This signal exchangecan occur via contacts 209 or via diode 203 and/or diode 205.

[0061] Using a variable frequency down converter 21 on 900 MHZ antenna201 results in a fixed frequency input to FM decoder 23. The filteringand impedance matching between the antenna and FM decoder 23 can then beperformed more accurately, resulting in a better quality signal.

[0062] In a low voltage application, a higher voltage differential isrequired to tune a further range in the FM decoder. For example, morevoltage swing is required to tune from 85 MHZ to 111 MHZ than isrequired to tune from 88 to 108 MHZ. In a low voltage application, thisextra voltage swing is expensive. To properly receive the 902-928 MHZband, it would be desirable to down convert outside the FM band,requiring a frequency range of, for example, 59-87 MHZ or 109-137 MHZ,when using a fixed frequency down converter. Using a variable frequencydown converter allows us to target outside the FM band (e.g. from 87 to109 MHZ) without requiring significantly more voltage swing. Thisvariable frequency down converter 21 allows access to the entire 902-928band (26 MHZ bandwidth) without increasing the tuning voltage of the FMdecoder (only 20 MHZ bandwidth) even when down converting to a rangewithin the FM band.

[0063] Control unit 34 could also contain a switch which could preventthe headset from switching to the RF mode (or the reverse), therebyallowing the user to continue listening to whatever band the userdesires without automatic switching. There could be an overridecapability so that under certain situations, information as decoded fromthe IR channel will cause the headset to switch to a certain RF channelwithout regard to the position of the switch. For example, this would beuseful for transmitting emergency information in certain situations.

[0064] The control link, as discussed above, can be made bidirectionalvia diode 205 or via contact 209 under control of memory 24 in controlunit 34. Memory 24 could have fixed data therein or could receive data,including voice, from a miniature keypad/microphone 206. The keypadcould be used to input data pertaining to the user, user preferences,etc. This data could then be sent, via diode 205 (or contact 209), totransmitter 10 for reception by diode 19 (or contact 110). Thisinformation then could be fed to an external memory (not shown) viacontrol 107 and paths 105,106 respectively. This data could be used, forexample, to place on the channel, via leads 108 and 109 and synthesizer15, data, including audio or video (including advertisements),particular to the user's requirements.

[0065] The photo-detect diodes and the LED diodes as well as the actualsignaling technique are well-known in the art.

[0066] Also, while not shown, a tighter link could be used for controlpurposes between the headset and the transmitter. For example,physically touching the two devices could serve to transfer information,much as data is transferred by swiping a magnetic card (or smart card)across a proper pad.

[0067]FIG. 3 depicts a typical headset 30 having speakers 31 and 32coupled together by headband 33 which is adjustable to fit around auser's head. The wireless headset 30 may have an integral video display(not shown) attached to the headset. Moreover, the headset 30 may have aright and left integral video displays for producing a 3D effect (notshown). Mounted on the outside of speaker 32 is housing 34 whichcontains the receiver shown in FIG. 2 including the control switches 35,36, 37, 39 and 53. Also mounted on the housing are IR diodes 203, and205. Of course, any of the switches and diodes can be mounted in anyposition consistent with the desired operational requirements, or couldbe removed and replaced with controls which respond to spoken commands.

[0068]FIG. 4 shows a set of entertainment units in a condition wherethey are able to initiate the delivery of information and control thecontent of information displayed on the respective screens based on thedetection of a user's presence. System 40 is shown having multipletreadmills 46,47,48 in a gym environment with each treadmill having ascreen 42 for the display of visual data, such as advertisements,billboards, and video data. Each treadmill also has a control box 41,control panel 43, interactive control 44, a user presence detectionsensor 50 and a push button 51. Additional information, includingadvertisements, can be displayed via panel 45, if desired. The user (notshown) wearing headset 30, steps on platform 49 of treadmill 46 whichtends to align diodes 203, 205 with diode(s) 44 for the exchange ofchannel control information and other data. In another embodiment, theuser would push the button 51 and initiate data transfer between theheadset and the treadmill. Headset 30 then, upon receipt of controlsignals, tunes to the channel assigned to treadmill 46. A check forvalidity may precede the tuning of the headset to the channel assignedto the treadmill. The check for validity may be required to ensure thatthe user is currently a member of the facility and that the headset isassigned to the user. A user without a headset is detected by sensor 50.The sensor 50 that detects the presence of the user in the proximity ofthe treadmill could operate via ultrasound, motion, IR, sound, light,applied manual pressure, heat or air pressure. An ultrasound, or otheruser presence detection sensor detects a return signal bouncing off of auser that is in proximity to the treadmill. A motion sensor detects thepresence of a user due to movement in proximity to the treadmill. Alight sensor detects the presence of a user by a change in the ambientlight near the treadmill. A sound sensor detects a user by a change inthe sound level or on recognizing the occurrence of certain patterns ofsound in proximity to the treadmill. An applied manual pressure sensordetects the presence of a user when a user steps on the treadmill bysheer force of the user's weight. If the user had stepped onto the nextadjacent treadmill, a different channel (or band) would be assigned tothat user's headset simply based on the physical location of the user.Diodes 203, and 205 transmit IR signals. However, momentary contacts canbe made, as discussed above, and the control information passed on inthat manner. While physical contact is enabled, it will be understoodthat data transfer can occur by, for example, magnetic elements cominginto close proximity, as is done with the “swiping” of a credit card. Aheat sensor detects a user due to the body heat emitted by the personwhile in proximity to the sensor. An air pressure (in contrast to the“manual pressure” sensor which depends on physical contact and: force)sensor detects a user by noting changes in air pressure resulting fromeither the motion or breathing of the user in proximity to the sensor.

[0069]FIG. 5 shows a block diagram for downloading and uploadinginformation between the central office and an advertising server. Avideo facility 55 is maintained at a centralized location. Each of theunit locations or clubs having the entertainment system has a centralserver called the advertising server 60. The advertising server 54 isconnected to the video facility 55. The two locations communicate via acommunication device 70, typically a modem, ISDN link, or otheracceptable methods so that new advertisements can be downloaded to theserver via link 52. The server also uploads control and other systemstatus information to the video facility. This information includes, butis not limited to, the status of old advertisements, the number of timesa particular user has seen a particular advertisement, and the number oftimes a particular advertisement was shown on particular days. Thisinformation can be used for billing and for other purposes. Link 52 canalso be used to send emergency broadcast messages to the advertisingservers.

[0070]FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an advertising server 60 connectedto a series of entertainment units 71, examples of which are depicted inFIG. 4. The advertising server 60 is preferably a personal computer (notshown in its entirety) with a storage medium 61. A communication device70 downloads new advertisements from the video facility with the aid oflink 52, and stores them in storage medium 61. The link 52 could be aT1, T3, ISDN, or telephone connection, or it can be an optical link, asneeded by data transfer requirements. The storage format can be RAM, aROM, a CD, floppy disk, hard drive, or DVD or other format provided forusing magnetic, electronic, optical or laser media. The advertisementsare stored preferably in digital form in the storage medium. Thedatabase of advertisements is stored in the storage medium. Theadvertisements are decoded and transformed into analog form by a digitalvideo decoder 62. Of course, if the visual display is capable of displaydata in digital format then the conversion from digital to analog formis not required at this point in the system, but may be located in theentertainment units to convert the audio portion of the data into analogformat for reception by the headset 30. Moreover, if the headset iscapable of receiving data in digital form then no analog conversion isrequired.

[0071] The digital video decoder 62 has at least one channel 63 attachedto it, one for video effect advertisements and the other for full effectadvertisements. The video effect advertisements include full motionvideo and billboards without sound. The full effect advertisementsinclude full motion video and billboards with sound. Other channels (notshown) could be used for a menu-driven video selection library. The twoconverter/modulators 65 are used to add the outputs of the video decoderonto the cable line 601. The outputs from the two converter units arealso fed into a synchronizer via lines 66. The synchronizer includessoftware so that the entertainment units can synchronize with theadvertising channels to enable the advertisements on each entertainmentunit to be displayed from beginning to the end, or chronologically.

[0072] In the least flexible case, the synchronizer can also be used totime division multiplex the different advertisements between the users,so that the users can be individually targeted. For example, if threeusers share one TV channel and three advertisements are shown onstartup, at least one advertisement can always be targeted to eachindividual. As it is unlikely that all three users start at the sametime, it is very possible that two or even all three advertisementscould be individually targeted. The synchronizer 69 interacts with theentertainment units so that they may synchronize with the advertisementson the various channels. The synchronizer 69 is connected to theentertainment units by way of line 603. Control 64 schedules the video(or audio) onto the channels based on who is logged on the entertainmentsystems, the time of day, the geographic location, stored preferences,prior requests, etc.

[0073] If desired, information from the user's headset from memory 24could be sent through diode(s) 44 of device 41 (or via momentarycontact) which could, for example, tell the user that he/she is due for30 minutes at a certain pace. Alternatively, a central memory andprocessor (not shown) could actually adjust the speed of machine 46 andthe slope of platform 49, as well as play advertisements to the userover the unique channel now identified with the user or via the visualdisplay mounted on the stationary machine. Once this information hasbeen passed to the user, the system could revert to providing morecommunity oriented information content tailored to anyone of a number ofparameters or the user could put his/her own CD (or cassette tape, DVD,or VCR tape) into a player (not shown) mounted in unit 41 for a moretailored performance.

[0074] Of course, there can be multiple layers of control informationcoming to the user. For example, the user could be walking outside andlistening to traditional AM or FM on headset 30. When the listenerenters a building, such as the gym, signals from the channel controlunit mounted inside the gym are picked up by the detector in the headsetand the headset switches to either a predetermined RF channel or to achannel identified in the control transmission. The exact channel towhich the headset is tuned can change as the listener moves through thegym as discussed above.

[0075] While IR has been identified as the control transmission media,it is understood that any transmission mechanism can be used, includingmagnetism, light, temperature, and radio waves. In addition, since theheadset channel is altered by a control signal, the headset can have anyone of a number of sensors mounted therein which, when triggered, willserve to tune the radio to a specific channel. A low signal levelcondition, or the activation of a sensor, such as a CO2 sensor, or apulse/heart rate sensor, could cause such a shift of bands/channels andthe playing of a “special” message. The channel setting of all headsetsand also the display panel could shift on command to an emergencychannel to warn users of an emergency.

[0076] When an advertising server 60 is set up at a facility, the VideoFacility 55 located in a central office downloads the advertisements tothe advertising server using software. These advertisements are storedin a storage medium 61 associated with the advertising server. Thestorage medium acts like the database for a particular facility. Ofcourse, the central server located in the central office also has adatabase of advertisements and other information. If necessary, eachentertainment unit may have its own individual database. When a usersteps on platform 49, the treadmill detects the presence of the user.Screen 42, or panel 45, or both, will display a welcome screen which isprovided by the advertising server. The welcome screen could also betailored to and stored in each entertainment unit. In the most flexiblecase, each entertainment unit will have its own welcome screen eitherstored in the unit itself or provided by the advertising server. In thecase of a user without a headset, the unit will display a purchase(generic) screen instead of a welcome screen, encouraging the user topurchase a headset. At the same time, a lock out unit 111 (FIG. 1) ineach entertainment unit will lock out the user based on signals receivedvia diode 19, or physical contact 110 (FIG. 1), or sensor 50 (FIG. 1).The lock out unit will also send a signal to headset 30 which will bereceived by diode 211 to disable the control switches 35 and 36. Once auser is locked out, the channels or switches on the entertainment unitor the headset cannot be changed, and/or the unit cannot be switchedoff.

[0077] At this time software associated with the advertising server 60(FIG. 6) would retrieve the advertisements from the database stored inthe storage medium 61. These advertisements are passed through thedigital video decoder 62, which converts them from digital to analogform. Of course, if all elements of the system were digital, theconversion would be unnecessary. The digital video decoder will thentransmit the advertisements onto channels 63 or 64 depending on whetherthe advertisements are with or without sound. These channels areconnected to converters 65 which would insert the video effect and fulleffect advertisements onto the cable line 601. The synchronizer 69includes software so that the entertainment units can synchronize withthe advertising channels to enable the units to display theadvertisements from beginning to the end. The advertisements are thendisplayed onto the visual devices 42 and/or 45 associated with theentertainment units. For users with headsets, the audio will betransmitted to speakers 31 and 32 (FIG. 3). After a predetermined numberof advertisements have played or a predetermined amount of time haselapsed, the lock out system will be disabled or disengaged, allowingthe user to switch stations or switch off the entertainment units.Periodically the advertising server will upload system statusinformation and advertisement usage information to the central server byspecial software designed for this purpose. The sources forgeographically remote systems can be linked to a common server by anywell-known means, including an Internet connection.

[0078] Although the present invention and its advantages have beendescribed in detail, it should be understood that various changes,substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.For example, while we have been discussing audio, the same conceptscould be applied to video or to data transmission using other than thebands described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for disseminating data to at least oneinformation unit comprising the steps of: storing the data in a storagemedium; transmitting the data to the information unit; displaying thedata on the information unit; and preventing a user of the informationunit from interfering with the step of displaying the data.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the user obtains at least a portion of thetransmitted information via a headphone.
 3. The method of claim 2wherein said user's headphone identifies said user and causes specificdata to be transmitted for display to said user.
 4. The method of claim1 wherein a local server transmits data to one or more informationunits.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the data to be disseminated isselected based upon the identity of the user at a particular informationunit.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage medium is chosenfrom the group consisting of magnetic, electronic, laser and optical. 7.The method of claim 1 wherein the storage format is chosen from thegroup consisting of RAM, ROM, hard disk, CD, tape cartridge, floppydisk, and DVD.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the storage medium iscapable of storing digital data.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein thedata includes information to be conveyed.
 10. The method of claim 9wherein the data includes instructional information.
 11. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the data includes advertising.
 12. The method of claim 9wherein the data includes instructional data.
 13. The method of claim 9wherein the data includes advertising and instructional data.
 14. Themethod of claim 9 wherein the data includes advertising and additionalinformation.
 15. The method of claim 9 wherein the data includesinstructional data and additional information.
 16. The method of claim 9wherein the data includes advertising, instructional data, andadditional information.
 17. The method of claim 9 wherein theadvertisement includes a video component and an audio component.
 18. Themethod of claim 9 wherein the advertisement includes a video component.19. The method of claim 9 wherein the advertisement includes an audiocomponent.
 20. The method of claim 1 wherein the data is in digital formand the transmitting step further comprises the step of: converting thedigital data into analog form.
 21. The method of claim 17 wherein thevideo component includes full motion video.
 22. The method of claim 17wherein the video component includes at least one billboard.
 23. Themethod of claim 18 wherein the video component includes full motionvideo.
 24. The method of claim 18 wherein the video component includesat least one billboard.
 25. The method of claim 1 wherein the data istransmitted through a channel.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein thedata includes at least one advertisement and the transmitting stepcomprises the step of: transmitting the advertisements on separatechannels.
 27. The method of claim 1 wherein the data includes at leastone advertisement, and the synchronizing step comprises the step of:synchronizing the advertisement on a channel with the information units,whereby the entire advertisement is presented to the user.
 28. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the transmitting step further comprises thestep of: detecting the presence of a user.
 29. The method of claim 28wherein the detecting step comprises the step of: tuning a portablereceiver to a particular channel based on momentary communicationbetween the receiver and the information unit.
 30. The method of claim28 wherein the detecting step further comprises the step of: tuning aportable receiver to a particular channel based on a control signalexchanged between the receiver and the information unit.
 31. The methodof claim 28 wherein the detecting step comprises the step of: detectingthe presence of the user in proximity to the information unit via asensor, wherein a mode of sensing used by the sensor is chosen from thegroup consisting of ultrasound, motion, IR, sound, light, applied manualpressure, heat and air pressure.
 32. The method of claim 1 wherein thepreventing step comprises the step of: disabling at least one control onthe information unit thereby preventing the user from switching off theinformation unit.
 33. The method of claim 1 wherein the preventing stepcomprises the step of: disabling at least one control on the informationunit thereby preventing the user from changing channels.
 34. The methodof claim 1 wherein the preventing step comprises the step of: disablingat least one control on a portable receiver thereby preventing the userfrom switching bands.
 35. The method of claim 1 wherein the dataincludes an audio component and a video component, and the displayingstep further comprises the steps of: transmitting the audio componentand the video component of the data to the information unit; andre-transmitting the audio component from the information unit to aportable receiver.
 36. The method of claim 1 wherein the data includes avideo component, and the displaying step further comprises the step of:displaying the video component on a visual device associated with theinformation unit.
 37. The method of claim 1 wherein the data includes anaudio component, and the displaying step comprises the step of:transmitting the audio component to a portable receiver.
 38. The methodof claim 1 wherein the displaying step has been performed, the methodfurther comprises the step of: enabling at least one control of theinformation unit thereby allowing the user to turn off the informationunit.
 39. The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying step has beenperformed, the method further comprises the step of: enabling at leastone control of the information unit thereby allowing the user to changechannels.
 40. The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying step has beenperformed, the method further comprises the step of: enabling at leastone control of a portable receiver thereby allowing the user to switchbands.
 41. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting step comprisesthe step of: transmitting the data in digital form.
 42. The method ofclaim 31 wherein the data includes at least one advertisement, and thesynchronizing step further comprises the step of: synchronizing theadvertisement on a channel with the information units, whereby theentire advertisement is presented to the user.
 43. The method of claim42 wherein the preventing step further comprises the step of: disablingat least one control on the information unit thereby preventing the userfrom switching off the information unit.
 44. The method of claim 43wherein the data includes a video component, and the displaying stepfurther comprises the step of: displaying the video component of thedata on a visual device associated with the information unit.
 45. Themethod of claim 44 wherein the displaying step has been performed, themethod further comprises the step of: enabling at least one control ofthe information unit allowing the user to turn off the information unit.46. A method for disseminating an advertisement to a plurality ofinformation units comprising the steps of: storing components of theadvertisement on a storage medium; detecting the presence of a user nearthe information unit; selectively delivering stored ones of saidadvertisements to an information unit, upon the detected presence of auser of said information unit, including at least one control forcontrolling the components of delivered ones of said advertisements;disabling at least one of said controls so that said user cannotinterfere with delivery of said advertisement; continuing to deliver aparticular advertisement to information unit until a predeterminedcriterion has been met; and reactivating any said disabled controlsafter the predetermined criterion has been met.
 47. The method of claim46 wherein the components are audio and video.
 48. The method of claim47 wherein the video component includes full motion video.
 49. Themethod of claim 47 wherein the video component includes at least onebillboard.
 50. The method of claim 47 wherein the delivering stepfurther comprises the step of: transmitting the audio component to aportable receiver.
 51. The method of claim 50 wherein the portablereceiver has at least one control for controlling the receiver, and thedisabling step further comprises the step of: disabling at least one ofsaid controls of the portable receiver so that the user cannot switchbands on said portable receiver.
 52. The method of claim 51 wherein thereactivating step further comprises the step of: reactivating anydisabled control of the portable receiver.
 53. The method of claim 47wherein the delivering step further comprises the step of: displayingthe video component on a video display.
 54. The method of claim 53wherein the disabling step further comprises the step of: disabling thevideo display so that the user cannot remove the delivered videoadvertisement therefrom.
 55. The method of claim 46 wherein thepredetermined criteria is the delivery of a predetermined number ofadvertisements to a particular user.
 56. The method of claim 46 whereinthe predetermined criteria is a passage of a predetermined amount oftime.
 57. The method of claim 46 whereby the storage medium is chosenfrom the group consisting of magnetic, electronic, laser and optical.58. The method of claim 46 whereby the storage format is chosen from thegroup consisting of RAM, ROM, CD, hard disk, tape cartridge floppy disk,and DVD.
 59. A transmitter comprising: means for transmitting data to atleast one of a plurality of remote receivers over a particulartransmission channel; and means for controllably disabling at least onecontrol on the one remote receiver so that the particular transmissionchannel cannot be switched by a user of the one remote receiver.
 60. Theinvention set forth in claim 59 wherein the data originates from atleast one of a plurality of different input sources selected from thegroup consisting of TV, cable, VCR, DVD, satellite broadcast, telephone,or a database.
 61. The invention set forth in claim 59 furthercomprising: means for reactivating any disabled control on the oneremote receiver.
 62. The invention set forth in claim 59 furthercomprising: means for detecting a presence of a user in proximity tosaid transmitter.
 63. The invention set forth in claim 62 furthercomprising: means for tuning the one remote receiver to the particularchannel based on a momentary connection between the receiver and thetransmitter.
 64. The invention set forth in claim 62 wherein the meansfor detecting comprises: means for tuning the one remote receiver to theparticular channel based on a control signal exchanged between thereceiver and the transmitter.
 65. The invention set forth in claim 62wherein the means for detecting further comprises: a sensor and whereina mode of operation of the sensor is chosen from the group consisting ofultrasound, motion, IR, sound, light, applied manual pressure, heat, andair pressure.
 66. An information system including a transmitting deviceand a plurality of receiving devices capable of receiving data from thetransmitting device, the system comprising: means for storing the data;means for synchronizing the data with at least one of the plurality ofreceiving devices; means for displaying the data on the one receivingdevice; and means for preventing a user from interfering with the meansfor displaying the data.
 67. The information system of claim 66 whereinthe data is in digital form.
 68. The information system of claim 66wherein the data includes an advertisement.
 69. The information systemof claim 68 wherein the advertisement includes a video component and anaudio component.
 70. The information system of claim 66 wherein thetransmitting device is operative via a channel.
 71. The informationsystem of claim 70 wherein the data includes at least one advertisement,and the transmitting device comprises: means for transmitting theadvertisement onto separate channels.
 72. The information system ofclaim 66 wherein the transmitting device comprises: means for detectingthe presence of a user.
 73. The information system of claim 72 whereinthe means for detecting comprises: means for tuning a portable receiverto a particular channel based on a momentary connection between theportable receiver and the one receiving device.
 74. The informationsystem of claim 72 wherein the means for detecting comprises: means fortuning a portable receiver to a particular channel based on a controlsignal exchanged between the portable receiver and the one receivingdevice.
 75. The information system of claim 72 wherein the means fordetecting comprises: means for detecting the presence of the user inproximity to the one receiving device via a sensor, wherein a mode ofsensing used by the sensor is chosen from the group consisting ofultrasound, motion, IR, sound, light, applied manual pressure, and airpressure.
 76. The information system of claim 66 wherein the means forpreventing comprises: means for disabling at least one control on theone receiving device thereby preventing the user from switching off theone receiving device.
 77. The information system of claim 76 wherein themeans for displaying further comprises: means for enabling the onecontrol on the one receiving device thereby allowing the user toswitching off the one receiving device.
 78. The information system ofclaim 66 wherein the means for preventing comprises: means for disablingat least one control on the one receiving device thereby preventing theuser from changing channels.
 79. The information system of claim 78wherein the means for displaying further comprises: means for enablingthe one control of the receiving device thereby allowing the user tochange channels.
 80. The information system of claim 66 wherein themeans for preventing comprises: means for disabling at least one controlon a portable receiver thereby preventing the user from switching bands.81. The information system of claim 80 wherein the means for displayingcomprises: means for enabling the one control of the portable receiverthereby allowing the user to switch bands.
 82. The information system ofclaim 66 wherein the data includes an audio component and a videocomponent, and the means for displaying comprises: means fortransmitting the audio component and video component to the onereceiving device; and means for re-transmitting the audio component fromthe one receiving device a portable receiver.
 83. The information systemof claim 66 wherein the data includes an audio component and the meansfor displaying further comprises: means for transmitting the audiocomponent of the data to a portable receiver.
 84. The information systemof claim 66 wherein the data includes an advertisement, and the meansfor synchronizing comprises: means for synchronizing the advertisementwith the one receiving device, whereby the entire advertisement ispresented to the user.